Gauge device for measuring tension on a pulling rope during a cable pull

ABSTRACT

A gauge device according to some embodiments of the disclosure is configured to measure tension on a pulling rope during a cable pull. The gauge device according to some embodiments of the disclosure includes a frame, a housing carried by the frame, a roller rotatably carried by the housing, a sensor on the frame beneath the housing, and at least one additional roller rotatably attached to the frame. The housing is configured to translate linearly relative to the frame, such that when the housing moves relative to the frame, the housing is configured to engage with the sensor to activate the sensor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 62/358,677, filed on Jul. 6, 2016, the contents of which areincorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a gauge device which is used inassociation with a cable puller to measure tension force on a pullingrope.

BACKGROUND

Cable pulling is a commonly used technique in building, whereby apulling rope is attached to a cable or wire that is to be pulled throughconduit or along a cable tray by the cable puller. The conduit or cabletray may be any length and may contain any number of bends, turns, orother layout characteristics. The pulling rope is wound by a user arounda capstan on the cable puller and tails off the capstan. The capstan ispowered by a motor and acts as a frictional force multiplier. Thecapstan and motor are usually referred to as being part of the pullerhead of the cable puller. Use of the cable puller to pull the cable orwire through the conduit or along the cable tray allows the user toexert only a small force on the pulling rope that tails off of thecapstan. This relatively small force is translated into a large force ofseveral thousand pounds which is exerted on the incoming pulling ropeand which provides enough force on the pulling rope and the cable orwire to pull them through the conduit or along the cable tray.

SUMMARY

A gauge device according to some embodiments of the disclosure providesaccurate measurement of tension on a pulling rope. The gauge device ofsome embodiments is configured to provide accurate measurement oftension on a pulling rope without the need for the end user to input therope diameter. In some embodiments, the gauge device includes a frame, ahousing carried by the frame, a roller rotatably carried by the housing,a sensor carried by the frame beneath the housing, and at least oneadditional roller rotatably attached to the frame. The housing isconfigured to translate linearly relative to the frame, such that whenthe housing moves relative to the frame, the housing is configured toengage with the sensor to activate the sensor.

This Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some exampleembodiments so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects ofthe disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the abovedescribed example embodiments are merely examples and should not beconstrued to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way.Other embodiments, aspects, and advantages of various disclosedembodiments will become apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, byway of example, the principles of the described embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The organization and manner of the structure and operation of thedisclosed embodiments, together with further objects and advantagesthereof, may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, whichare not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein like reference numeralsidentify like elements in which:

FIG. 1A is a representation of a gauge device shown in an exampleoperating environment;

FIG. 1B is a representation of a gauge device shown in an exampleoperating environment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the gauge device in accordance with anexample embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an alternate perspective view of the gauge device;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the gauge device;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the gauge device, but with a framepart removed so that the internal components can be seen;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a second frame part;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a first frame part;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a housing and a roller mounted therein;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a housing part of the housing of FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is an alternate side elevation view of the housing part of FIG.9;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a roller on a housing part;

FIG. 12 is a partial end elevation view of the gauge device shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is an alternate end elevation view of the gauge device, shown ona boom of a cable puller;

FIG. 14 is a schematic of an example computing module for the gaugedevice;

FIG. 15 is a screenshot of an example main menu displayed by the displayof the gauge device;

FIG. 16 is a screenshot of an example display of the display duringsetup for a new pull operation;

FIGS. 17A-D are screenshots of an example display of the display duringa pulling operation;

FIG. 18 is a screenshot of an example pull summary data displayed on ascreen of the display of the gauge device;

FIG. 19 is a screenshot of an example file management screen of thedisplay the gauge device;

FIG. 20 is a system diagram of an example pulling environment forconnecting the gauge device to a communication device which is locatedremotely from the gauge device;

FIG. 21 is a screenshot of an example homepage of the applicationdisplaying on the communication device;

FIGS. 22A-C are screenshots of an example display screen of theapplication as displayed on the communication device during a pullingoperation;

FIG. 23 is an example display screen of the application to display datafiles transferred from the gauge device to the communication device;

FIG. 24 is an example display screen of the application displaying saveddata;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of an example process for monitoring operatingconditions of a pull;

FIGS. 26A-D are block diagrams of example communication connections inthe pulling environments;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of an example control logic of the cable pulleror rope auto spooler machine;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of an example control logic of the gauge device;

FIG. 29 is a block diagram of an example processing system of the cablepuller and the rope auto spooler machine; and

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of an example processing system of the cablefeeder and/or cable tray feeder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the disclosure may be susceptible to embodiment in differentforms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described indetail, a specific embodiment with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles ofthe disclosure, and is not intended to limit the disclosure to that asillustrated and described herein. Therefore, unless otherwise noted,features disclosed herein may be combined together to form additionalcombinations that were not otherwise shown for purposes of brevity. Itwill be further appreciated that in some embodiments, one or moreelements illustrated by way of example in a drawing(s) may beeliminated. Directional terms, such as upper, lower, top, bottom,vertical and horizontal, are used herein for ease in describing theinvention; this does not denote a required orientation during use.

A running line gauge device 20 (often also called a tensiometer or atension meter) is provided for use with a cable puller 22 in a cablepulling operation. The cable puller 22 is conventional. The cable puller22 may, for example, be mounted to the floor 21 or may be mounted on awheeled carriage (not shown). The gauge device 20 of various embodimentsprovides accurate measurement of tension on a pulling rope 24. The gaugedevice 20 of some embodiments is configured to provide accuratemeasurement of tension on a pulling rope 24 without the need for the enduser to input the rope diameter. Cable pulling is a commonly usedtechnique whereby the pulling rope 24 is attached to a cable or wire 26that is to be pulled through conduit 28 or along a cable tray 29 by thecable puller 22. The conduit 28/cable tray 29 may be any length and maycontain any number of bends, turns, or other layout characteristics. Thepulling rope 24 is wound by a user around a capstan 27 on the cablepuller 22 and tails off the capstan 27. The capstan 27 is powered by amotor and acts as a frictional force multiplier. The capstan 27 andmotor are usually referred to as being part of the puller head of thecable puller 22. Use of the cable puller 22 to pull the cable or wire 26through the conduit 28 or along the cable tray 29 thus only requiresexertion of a small force on the pulling rope 24 that tails off of thecapstan 27. This relatively small force is translated into a large forceof several thousand pounds which is exerted on the incoming pulling rope24 and which provides enough force on the pulling rope 24 and the cableor wire 26 to pull them through the conduit 28 or along the cable tray29.

The gauge device 20 of various embodiments monitors one or more pullqualities, such as speed, distance travelled, and/or rope tension withrespect to time. The gauge device 20 may be configured to alert the userif the tension limit (e.g., a programmed or otherwise specified maximumtension limit) is exceeded. In one example, the alert is provided by adisplay 180 of the gauge device 20, described in more detail below.Additionally, or alternatively, in some embodiments, the gauge device 20may be configured to communicate the alert to a computing device via awireless connection, e.g., for ease of viewing by a user of the gaugedevice 20, also described in more detail below. Additionally, oralternatively, the gauge device 20 may also communicate the monitoredinformation to the computing device via a wired connection, described inmore detail below.

Where the gauge device 20 is described herein to communicate alerts,information, data, and/or the like to a remote computing device, it willbe appreciated that such alerts, information, data, etc. may becommunicated directly to the computing device (e.g., via a wirelesscommunication link that may be established between the gauge device 20and the remote computing device) and/or indirectly via one or moreintermediate computing devices. For example, in some embodiments, thegauge device 20 and one or more remote computing devices may beconnected to a structured wireless network having a wireless accesspoint, which may route communications between the gauge device 20 and aremote computing device(s) over the structured wireless network. Asanother example, in some embodiments, the gauge device 20 maycommunicate over a wireless connection to a wireless access point and/orother intermediate computing device, which may forward communicationsfrom the gauge device 20 to a remote computing device via a wirelessconnection, wireline connection, and/or some combination thereof.

The gauge device 20 of various embodiments may be compatible with any ofa variety of rope sizes. In some example embodiments, the gauge device20 is compatible with any rope size up to ⅞″ diameter. In accordancewith various example embodiments, the gauge device 20 may be configuredto sense the diameter of rope used and does not require the user toinput rope type and/or diameter to maintain accurate data. Wire/cablemanufactures generally specify both maximum tension limits as well asmaximum side wall pressure that the cable can experience without damage.In some embodiments, an application may be provided to enable a user toinput parameters, e.g., based at least in part on manufacturespecifications, and use the input information along with captured pullinformation to calculate side wall pressure. In some embodiments, theuser may download bend characteristics, e.g., based at least in part onbuilding information modeling (BIM). The application can provide theuser with an option to overwrite BIM data if different than the model.When these limits are exceeded, the entire run of cable or wire 26through the conduit 28 or along the cable tray 29 will need to beemptied and re-pulled. Often, the faulty cable or wire is not discovereduntil after the construction of the building is complete.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate example operating environments for the gaugedevice 20. In the illustrated operating environment of FIG. 1A, a reel30 of cable or wire 26 is attached to the pulling rope 24 and fedthrough conduit 28 by using a conventional cable feeder 32 and the cablepuller 22 in a known manner. The cable or wire 26 is fed by the cablefeeder 32. The cable puller 22 pulls the pulling rope 24 to pull thecable or wire 26 attached to the pulling rope 24 through conduit 28.Support sheaves or rollers 37 may be provided and to assist in routingthe cable or wire 26 between the cable feeder 32 and the cable puller22. In the illustrated operating environment of FIG. 1B, a reel 30 ofcable or wire 26 is attached to the pulling rope 24 and seated into acable tray 29 by using the cable feeder 32, the cable puller 22 and acable tray feeder 31 in a known manner. Such a cable tray 29 and cabletray feeder 31 are disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 14/734,273, the contentsof which are incorporated by reference. The cable tray feeder 31 feedsthe cable or wire 26 therethrough and can be opened to deposit the cableor wire 26 into the cable tray 29. The cable puller 22 pulls the pullingrope 24 to pull the cable or wire 26 attached to the pulling rope 24.Support sheaves or rollers 37 may be provided and to assist in routingthe cable or wire 26 between the cable feeder 32, the cable puller 22and the cable tray feeder 31. In some embodiments, a rope auto spoolermachine 33 is used to spool the pulling rope 24 tailing off the capstan27 (and in some such embodiments, provides tailing force instead of auser), such a rope auto spooler machine 33 is disclosed in U.S. Ser. No.15/334,485, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.In another embodiment, a combination of conduits 28 and cable trays 29are provided between the cable feeder 32 and the cable puller 22.

The gauge device 20 of the present disclosure is positioned on the cablepuller side of the conduit 28/cable tray 29. The gauge device 20 may bemounted on the cable puller 22, or may be tethered on a stationaryobject (not shown) between the end of the conduit 28/cable tray 29 andthe cable puller 22. As shown by way of example in the drawings, thegauge device 20 is mounted on the cable puller 22, but it is to beunderstood that this is not required. As the pulling rope 24 and cableor wire 26 are pulled through the conduit 28 or along the cable tray 29,friction between the cable or wire 26 and the conduit 28 or the cabletray 29 increases causing tension in the cable or wire 26. The tensionin the cable or wire 26 is the same as the tension in the pulling rope24. The tension in the pulling rope 24, moving or stationary, as well asthe speed and distance, are measured by the gauge device 20.

In some embodiments, the gauge device 20, the cable feeder 32 and/or thecable puller 22 are in communication with each other via any wired orwireless communication interface (not shown). The communicationinterface can be utilized by the cable feeder 32 to notify the cablepuller 22 of a failure or temporary issue with regard to the cablefeeder 32 so that the cable puller 22 can stop a pull to prevent damageto the cable or wire 26, the pulling rope 24, and/or any portion of theconduit 28/cable tray 29. Similarly, the communication interface can beutilized by the cable puller 22 to notify the cable feeder 32 of afailure or temporary issue with regard to the cable puller 22 so thatthe cable feeder 32 can stop feeding the cable or wire 26 and thepulling rope 24 into the conduit 28 or along the cable tray 29. Anotification from the cable feeder 32 to the cable puller 22 or from thecable puller 22 to the cable feeder 32 may be triggered manually by anindividual operating the cable feeder 32 or the cable puller 22 using atrigger mechanism such as a foot pad, or may be triggered based at leastin part upon predefined threshold parameters programmed into the cablefeeder 32 and/or the cable puller 22. For example, predefined thresholdparameters may be embodied in software and/or firmware components thatmay be stored in memory of the cable feeder 32 and/or the cable puller22. In some embodiments, the gauge device 20 communicates with the cablefeeder 32 and/or the cable puller 22 to trigger the cable feeder 32and/or the cable puller 22 to stop if the predetermined tension isexceeded.

Turning now to FIGS. 2-12, the gauge device 20 in accordance with someembodiments is shown. The gauge device 20 includes a frame 34 on which aplurality of rollers is mounted. In some embodiments, the frame 34includes first and second frame parts 34 a, 34 b between which theplurality of rollers is mounted. In some example embodiments, fiverollers 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, see FIG. 5, are mounted, the fifth one ofwhich forms a central roller 44. The central roller 44 is rotatable andlinearly moveable relative to the frame parts 34 a, 34 b and is capableof activating a sensor 46 mounted between the frame parts 34 a, 34 b.The central roller 44 is mounted in a housing 108, see FIG. 8, whichallows the central roller 44 to move vertically relative to the frameparts 34 a, 34 b and perpendicular to the rope path. The rollers 36, 38,40, 42 are rotatable relative to the frame parts 34 a, 34 b, but are notlinearly moveable relative to the frame parts 34 a, 34 b. It will beappreciated, however, that alternative quantities and arrangements ofrollers are contemplated within the scope of the disclosure.

In some embodiments, each frame part 34 a, 34 b is formed from aluminum,steel, plastic, rubber, carbon composite, other materials, and/orcombinations thereof. Each frame part 34 a, 34 b is identical, exceptfor the differences noted herein. Frame part 34 b is described with theunderstanding that in some embodiments, the other frame part 34 a isgenerally identically formed, except for the differences noted herein.

As shown in FIG. 6, the frame part 34 b is formed of a flat plate whichincludes a plurality of cutouts 54 therein in order to reduce the weightof the frame part 34 b. As a result, the gauge device 20 of someembodiments has a skeletal frame part design which significantly reducesthe weight of gauge device 20 and distributes stress. As shown, theframe part 34 b of some example embodiments has inner and outer surfaces48 a, 48 b and is formed as a trapezoid. As shown, the frame part 34 bhas a lower edge 50 a, an upper edge 50 b which is parallel to the loweredge, a first side edge 50 c extending between the lower and upper edges50 a, 50 b at a first end of each edge 50 a, 50 b, and a second sideedge 50 d extending between the lower and upper edges 50 a, 50 b at asecond end of each edge 50 a, 50 b. The lower edge 50 a is shorter inlength than the upper edge 50 b. As such, the side edges 50 c, 50 dextend outwardly from the lower edge 50 a and at an angle relative tothe lower and upper edges 50 a, 50 b and relative to each other. Asshown in FIG. 12, the lower edge 50 a angles or tapers inwardly from theouter surface 48 b to the inner surface 48 a to form a mating profilefor mounting on the cable puller 22 as described herein. A first corner52 a is defined between the lower edge 50 a and the first side edge 50c; a second corner 52 b is defined between the lower edge 50 a and thesecond side edge 50 d; a third corner 52 c is defined between the upperedge 50 b and the first side edge 50 c; a fourth corner is definedbetween the upper edge 50 b and the second side edge 50 d. Each corner52 a, 52 b, 52 c, 52 d may be rounded. It will be appreciated that theillustrated and above described trapezoidal shape is provided by way ofexample, and not by way of limitation. In this regard, it will bereadily appreciated that the frame part 34 b of various embodiments maytake other shapes than a trapezoid. For example, the frame part 34 b maybe a rectangle with equal length lower and upper edges 50 a, 50 b andlinear side edges 50 c, 50 d.

The frame part 34 b has an outer continuous portion 56 which extendsalong the edges 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d of the frame part 34 b, and aplurality of arms that interconnect with each other. The placement ofthe cutouts 54 shown in FIG. 6 are shown by way of example, and it willbe appreciated that the cutouts 54 may be placed in different locationsthan that which is shown in FIG. 6. As shown in the specificrepresentation in the drawings, the frame part 34 b is symmetrical abouta centerline 60 of the frame part 34 b and includes 1) a first,vertical, central arm 58 extending between the continuous portion 56 andbetween the lower and upper edges 50 a, 50 b and along the centerline 60of the frame part 34 b, 2) a second diagonal arm 62 a extending from thecontinuous portion 56 and from the corner 52 c to the centerline 60 ofthe frame part 34 b, 3) a third diagonal arm 62 b extending from thecontinuous portion 56, from the corner 52 d to the centerline 60 of theframe part 34 b, and which is symmetrical with the second diagonal arm62 a, 4) a fourth diagonal arm 64 a extending from the continuousportion 56 and from the midpoint of the first side edge 50 c to thesecond diagonal arm 62 a, 5) a fifth diagonal arm 64 b extending fromthe continuous portion 56, from the second diagonal arm 62 a to theupper edge 50 b, and aligned with the fourth diagonal arm 64 a, 6) asixth diagonal arm 64 c extending from the continuous portion 56, fromthe midpoint of the second side edge 50 d to the third diagonal arm 62b, and which is symmetrical with the fourth diagonal arm 64 a, 7) aseventh diagonal arm 64 d extending from the continuous portion 56, fromthe third diagonal arm 62 b to the upper edge 50 b, aligned with thesixth diagonal arm 64 c, and which is symmetrical with the fifthdiagonal arm 64 b, 8) an eighth vertical arm 66 a extending from thecontinuous portion 56, which is offset from, but parallel to, thecenterline 60 and which extends between the lower edge 50 a and thesecond diagonal arm 62 a, and 9) a ninth vertical arm 66 b extendingfrom the continuous portion 56, which is offset from, but parallel to,the centerline 60, which extends between the lower edge 50 a and thethird diagonal arm 62 b, and which is symmetrical with the eighthvertical arm 66 a. A first enlarged hub 68 is provided at theintersection of the second diagonal arm 62 a and the continuous portion56. A second enlarged hub 70 is provided at the intersection of thesecond diagonal arm 62 b and the continuous portion 56. A third enlargedhub 72 is provided at the intersection of the second diagonal arm 62 aand the eighth arm 66 a. A fourth enlarged hub 74 is provided at theintersection of the third diagonal arm 62 b and the ninth arm 66 b. Thefirst and second hubs 68, 70 are symmetrical; the third and fourth hubs72, 74 are symmetrical. An aperture 76 is provided through each of thehubs 68, 70, 72, 74. Again, the cutouts 54 may be placed in differentlocations other than those which are shown such that different arms willbe formed.

The central arm 58 of some embodiments has a first surface 78 which isplanar with the remainder of the inner surface 48 a of the frame part 34b. The first surface 78 extends from the continuous portion 56 at theupper edge 50 b and toward the lower edge 50 a. The central arm 58 ofsome such embodiments further has a second surface 78 a which isparallel to, but offset from, the first surface 78, a third surface 78 bextending perpendicularly from the second surface 78 a, a fourth surface78 c extending from the inner end of the third surface 78 b and isparallel to the second surface 78 a, a fifth surface 78 d extendingperpendicularly from the fourth surface 78 c, and a sixth surface 78 eextending from the outer end of the fifth surface 78 d and is alignedwith the second surface 78 a. The third, fourth and fifth surfaces 78 b,78 c, 78 d form a rail 80 of the central arm 58. The fourth surface 78 cis parallel to, but offset from the first surface 78, thereby forming alower shoulder 82 a between the rail 80 and the first surface 78 at thelower end of the central arm 58 and an upper shoulder 82 b, see alsoFIG. 3, between the rail 80 and the first surface 78 at the upper end ofthe central arm 58.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second diagonal arm 62 a of some exampleembodiments has a recessed portion 84 a provided therein at theintersection of the second diagonal arm 62 a and the central arm 58. Therecessed portion 84 a is continuous with and planar with the secondsurface 78 a. The third diagonal arm 62 b has a recessed portion 84 bprovided therein at the intersection of the third diagonal arm 62 b andthe central arm 58. The recessed portion 84 b is continuous with andplanar with the sixth surface 78 e.

The continuous portion 56 may have a number of apertures 86 therethroughto accommodate mounting the gauge device 20 with some embodiments ofcable pullers.

The difference between the frame parts 34 a, 34 b in accordance withsome embodiments will now be described. As shown in FIG. 6, frame part34 b of some embodiments has a locking bar mounting aperture 88 providedthrough the continuous portion 56 proximate to the corner 52 b. A firstpin receiving aperture 90 is provided through the continuous portion 56and is proximate, but spaced from the locking bar mounting aperture 88.The first pin receiving aperture 90 is between the locking bar mountingaperture 88 and the central arm 58. A second pin receiving aperture 92is provided through the continuous portion 56 and is proximate, butspaced from the locking bar mounting aperture 88. The second pinreceiving aperture 92 is between the locking bar mounting aperture 88and the corner 52 b. As shown in FIG. 7, frame part 34 a has a pair ofspaced apart apertures 94 to which a lower handle 96 is attached, andframe part 34 a has a pair of spaced apart apertures 98 to which a lowerhandle 100 is attached. The apertures 94 are through the continuousportion 56 and are proximate to the lower edge 50 a. The apertures 98are through the continuous portion 56 and are proximate to the upperedge 50 b. Frame part 34 a has a computing module 150, which isdescribed in detail herein, mounted in an enclosure 178 mounted thereonby suitable means, such as fasteners 99. The enclosure 178 of someembodiments is mounted on the frame part 34 a between the handles 96,100. The handles 96, 100 extend outwardly from the frame part 34 a afurther distance than the enclosure 178 extends outwardly from the framepart 34 a. In addition to provide for carrying the gauge device 20, thehandles 96, 100 of some embodiments serve to protect the enclosure 178and its electronics therein if the gauge device 20 is dropped. Inaccordance with some example embodiments, the computing module 150 maybe powered by a battery that may be disposed in the gauge device 20. Forexample, in some such embodiments, a battery 185 is also mounted on theframe part 34 a and supplies power to the computing module 150 via wire.

In some embodiments, the gauge device 20 includes a Hall effect sensor.In some such embodiments, Hall effect sensor 176, see FIG. 3, is mountedon the outer surface 112 b of the first vertical wall 112 of the housingpart 110 b by fasteners 175 extending through one or more apertures 177,see FIG. 9, and is used as described herein. In some embodiments, theHall effect sensor 176 can operate in conjunction with a number ofequally spaced magnetic targets 179 to send signals to control circuitry154, see, e.g., FIG. 14, to calculate and display the speed and distanceof the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26. Additional or alternative tothe Hall effect sensor 176, other types of sensors may be used, forexample, in some embodiments an optical sensor or various otherproximity sensors and their respective targets can be used, includingencoders. In some embodiments, distance can be calculated by a separateentity, e.g., on the basis of instantaneous speed and/or average speedover time.

In some embodiments, a locking bar 102, see FIG. 3, is attached by apivot 104 to the locking bar mounting aperture 88 on frame part 54 b.The locking bar 102 of some such embodiments can be fixed into twopositions. In a first position, the locking bar 102 is mounted such thatan end 102 a of the locking bar 102 is proximate to the central arm 58such that the end 102 a overlaps the frame part 34 b. In this position,a locking pin 106 is inserted through an aperture in the locking bar 102and into the first pin receiving aperture 90. In a second position, thelocking bar 102 is mounted such that the end 102 a is approximately 180degrees rotated from that shown in FIG. 3, such that the end 102 aextends outwardly from the frame part 34 b. In this position, lockingpin 106 is inserted through the aperture in the locking bar 102 and intothe second pin receiving aperture 92. When the locking bar 102 is in thesecond position, this prevents the pulling rope 24 from being pulledinto the puller 22 when used in a chain or floor mount configuration.

The first roller 36 is mounted by a mount 136 through the apertures 76provided through the first hub 68 on each frame part 34 a, 34 b. Thesecond roller 38 is mounted by a mount 138 through the apertures 76provided through the second hub 70 on each frame part 34 a, 34 b. Thethird roller 40 is mounted by a mount 140 through the apertures 76provided through the third hub 72 on each frame part 34 a, 34 b. Thefourth roller 42 is mounted by a mount 142 through the apertures 76provided through the fourth hub 74 on each frame part 34 a, 34 b. Therollers 36, 38, 40, 42 are rotatable relative the frame parts 34 a, 34b, but are not linearly translatable relative to the frame parts 34 a,34 b. The mounts 136, 138 of the first and second rollers 36, 38 areretractable so that the first and second rollers 36, 38 can be removedfrom the frame parts 34 a, 34 b to allow the pulling rope 24 to be laidinto the gauge device 20 on top of the rollers 40, 44, 42. The mounts136, 138 of the first and second rollers 36, 38 may be formed of springloaded fasteners as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,814,827, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein in its entirety. The mounts 140, 142 ofthe third and fourth rollers 40, 42 may be formed of fasteners.

The central roller 44 of some embodiments is mounted in the housing 108,see FIG. 8, which allows the central roller 44 to move vertically alongthe rails 80 of the arms 58 and perpendicular to the rope path. Thehousing 108 includes a first housing part 110 a coupled with a secondhousing part 110 b by a lower wall 111. A shaft 118 is fixed to andextends between the parts 110 a, 110 b. The central roller 44 is seatedon the shaft 118 between the first and second parts 110 a, 110 b androtates around the shaft 118. Each housing part 110 a, 110 b isidentically formed, so only one housing part 110 b is described.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the housing part 110 b includes a firstvertical wall 112 and a second horizontal wall 114 which extendsperpendicularly from the first wall 112. The first wall 112 has a planarinner surface 112 a and a planar outer surface 112 b, such that a loweredge 112 c, an upper edge 112 d and opposite side edges 112 e, 112 fextending between the lower and upper edges 112 c, 112 d are defined. Aslot 115 is provided in the outer surface 112 b and in an embodiment,extends vertically from the lower edge 112 c to the upper edge 112 d.The slot 115 mirrors the shape of the rail 80, except that the slot 115has a height which is less than the height of the rail 80. The secondwall 114 has a planar inner surface 114 a and extends between theopposite side edges 112 e, 112 f of the first wall 112. The second wall114 extends upwardly from the lower edge 112 c of the first wall 112 andalong a portion of the height of the first wall 112. In someembodiments, an upper surface 114 b of the second wall 114 is curved andmatches the curvature of the central roller 44. A lower surface 114 c ofthe second wall 114 is planar and aligns with the lower edge 112 c ofthe first wall 112. An aperture 116 is provided through the second wallproximate to, but spaced from, the upper edge 112 d of the first wall112.

The inner surface 114 a of the second wall 114 of each housing part 110a, 110 b abuts against each other to form a clam shell as shown in FIG.8. The lower wall 111 is attached, such as by fasteners, to the loweredges 112 c and the lower surfaces 114 c of the parts 110 a, 110 b tomate the parts 110 a, 110 b together. The shaft 118 extends through theapertures 116 and through an aperture through the central roller 44 tosandwich the central roller 44 between the parts 110 a, 110 b. The outersurface 112 b of each housing part 110 a, 110 b abuts against the innersurface 48 a of the respective frame part 34 a, 34 b. The rails 80 ofthe frame parts 34 a, 34 b seat within the slots 114 of the parts 110 a,110 b. The rails 80 are longer than the parts 110 a, 110 b to allow theparts 110 a, 110 b to move relative to the frame parts 34 a, 34 b.

A mounting plate 120, see FIGS. 4, 5 and 12, is mounted on thecontinuous portion 56 proximate to the lower edges 50 a of the frameparts 34 a, 34 b and extends between the frame parts 34 a, 34 b. Themounting plate 120 has a lower surface 122 a, an opposite planar uppersurface 122 b, side surfaces 122 c, 122 d extending between the lowerand upper surfaces 122 a, 122 b, and end surfaces 122 e, 122 f extendingbetween the lower and upper surfaces 122 a, 122 b. The side surfaces 122c, 122 d of the mounting plate 120 abut against the frame parts 34 a, 34b and are attached to the inner surfaces 48 a of the frame parts 34 a,34 b by suitable means, such as fasteners, welding, etc., to mate theframe parts 34 a, 34 b together. As best shown in FIG. 12, the lowersurface 122 a has a first portion 124 a which is planar andperpendicular to the side surfaces 122 c, 122 d, a second portion 124 bwhich is planar and perpendicular to the side surfaces 122 c, 122 d andspaced from the first portion 124 a by an elongated slot 126 thereinwhich extends along the length of the mounting plate 120 which isdefined between the end surfaces 122 e, 122 f. The first and secondportions 124 a, 124 b are aligned. The slot 126 is formed from a firstangled surface 126 a which extends from the first portion 124 a, asecond angled surface 126 b which extends from the second portion 124 b,a third vertical surface 126 c which extends from the top end of thefirst angled surface 126 a, a fourth vertical surface 126 d whichextends from the top end of the second angled surface 126 b, and a fifthhorizontal surface 126 e which extends from the upper ends of the thirdand fourth surfaces 126 c, 126 d.

The sensor 46, see FIGS. 5 and 12, is mounted on the upper surface 122 bof the mounting plate 120 by suitable means, such as fasteners,adhesive, etc. In an embodiment, the sensor 46 is a compression loadsensor. In an embodiment, the sensor 46 is a load pin. The use of acompression load cell 46 over a load pin is desirable as load pins areexpensive. In an embodiment, the sensor 46 has a depressible button 47thereon, which when depressed in use, activates the sensor 46. Thebutton 47 of the sensor 46 is in contact with the lower wall 111. Thesensor 46 is communicatively coupled with the computing module 150. Forexample, in some embodiments, the sensor 46 is communicatively coupledwith the computing module 150 by a wiring connector 183.

When mounted in the frame parts 34 a, 34 b, the central roller 44 andits housing 108 are positioned between the third and fourth rollers 40,42 and positioned closer to the upper edges 50 b of the frame parts 34a, 34 b than the third and fourth rollers 40, 42 are positioned relativeto the upper edges 50 b of the frame parts 34 a, 34 b. The first roller36 is proximate to the third roller 40, and the second roller 38 isproximate to the fourth roller 42.

In use, the gauge device 20 may be attached to the cable puller 22 asshown, and may be mounted to a boom 22 a of the cable puller 22. In use,the gauge device 20 may be mounted to a stationary object on the floorbetween the conduit 28/cable tray 29 and the cable puller 22. As shownin FIG. 13, the boom 22 a may have a circular profile 23 or arectangular profile 25. The circular profile 23 of the boom 22 a engageswith the lower edges 50 a of the frame parts 34 a, 34 b to ensure asecure mounting of the gauge device 20 on the boom 22 a. The rectangularprofile 25 of the boom 22 a engages with the first and second angledsurfaces 126 a 126 b of the mounting plate 120 to ensure a securemounting of the gauge device 20 on the boom 22 a or on the stationaryobject. The corner of the rectangular profile 25 of the boom 22 may alsoengage with the fifth horizontal surface 126 e of the mounting plate120. The mounting plate 120 of the gauge device 20 has a profile thatmates with a variety of cable pullers 22 to assist in properly orientingthe gauge device 20 onto the cable puller 22.

In use, the first and second rollers 36, 38 are removed from the frameparts 34 a, 34 b and the pulling rope 24 is laid across the third,fourth and fifth rollers 40, 42, 44. Thereafter, the first and secondrollers 36, 38 are reattached to the frame parts 34 a, 34 b, therebytrapping the pulling rope 24 between the first and second rollers 36, 38and the third, fourth and fifth rollers 40, 42, 44. Because five rollers36, 38, 40, 42, 44 are used in this orientation, any diameter of pullingrope 24 will have the same arc length over the central roller 44.Therefore, the diameter of the pulling rope 24 is not required as aparameter to make the gauge device 20 function.

When the pulling rope 24 is in tension, the pulling rope 24 causes thehousing 108 and its central roller 44 to move to activate the sensor 46.When tension increases on the pulling rope 24 as the pulling rope 24 ispulled by the cable puller 22, once a sufficient amount of tension ispresent in the pulling rope 24, the force is translated to sensor 46because the housing 108 and its central roller 44 slide along the rails80 of the frame parts 34 a, 34 b and depress the button 47 of the sensor46 which activates the sensor 46. Since the housing 108 can only movelinearly relative to the frame parts 34 a, 34 b, this ensures that all(or at least substantially all) of the load created by the tension inthe pulling rope 24 is translated to the sensor 46. The sensor 46 candetect very small loads. This information can be sent to a controlcircuitry 154, as described below, and used to alert a user as describedherein.

The frame parts 34 a, 34 b, rollers 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and handles 96,100 may be formed of aluminum to reduce the weight of the gauge device20. The handles 96, 100 provide a convenient grasping point for a userto carry the gauge device 20 and to maneuver the gauge device 20, whilesimultaneously protecting the on-board electronics mounted within theenclosure 178.

FIG. 14 is a schematic of an example computing module 150 for the gaugedevice 20, and accompanying circuitry. The computing module 150processes data related to the pulling of a pulling rope 24/cable or wire26. In some embodiments, the gauge device 20 determines force, distanceand/or speed of the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26 being pulled.Tension caused by force on the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26 duringpulling, if too high, can damage the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26.Additionally, too much tension on the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26can cause other adverse effects including the pulling rope 24/cable orwire 26 snapping or stretching during the pull. As described in moredetail below, in some embodiments the computing module 150 determineswhen to send alerts to the user of any possible damage to the pullingrope 24/cable or wire 26 resulting from excess tension, and the gaugedevice 20 warns the user before the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26fails, for example by snapping or stretching. In some embodiments, thegauge device 20 can also stop the pull, for example, if the gauge device20 determines that a tension on the rope 24/cable or wire 26 exceeds athreshold. A user can input a maximum force allowed to the computingmodule 150 for a determined type of pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26being pulled. In other implementations, the computing module 150 candetermine the maximum allowable force from a data structure, such as alookup table, defining associations between various types of pullingrope 24/cable or wire 26 and respective maximum force thresholds basedat least in part on the type of pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26, etc.The lookup table can be stored locally in a memory 158 of the computingmodule 150 and/or accessed remotely, e.g., over the Internet.

Some of the electrical components can reside on a printed circuit boardassembly (PCBA) 152, or other type of electrical component assembly,e.g., an assembly manufactured by a 3D printer process. It will beappreciated that where PCBA 152 is illustrated described herein, it isdescribed by way of non-limiting example, such that alternativeassemblies on which circuitry may be embodied may be substituted forPCBA 152 within the scope of the disclosure, including but not limitedto application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmablegate array (FPGA), etc. In some embodiments, a control circuitry 154 islocated on the PCBA 152, the control circuitry 154 having a processor156, a memory 158, a program memory 160 and a random-access memory (RAM)162, for example, static access memory (SRAM) 162 or other type ofmemory. The control circuitry 154 processes signals to determine aforce, distance and/or speed of the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26,etc., as described in more detail below. The program memory 160 can bein the form of ferroelectric random-access memory (RAM), NOR flash orone time programmable (OTP) read only memory (ROM), etc. The programmemory 160 stores executable instructions, which when executed by theprocessor 156, causes the processor 156 to perform processes describedherein. The computing module 150 of some example embodiments may furtherinclude one or more of voltage regulators 164, signal conditioningcircuitry 166, an external battery monitoring circuit 168, a low voltageshutdown circuitry 170, and communications module 172. In embodimentsincluding communications module 172, the communications module 172 isconfigured to enable communication with remote computing devices via oneor more wireless communications technologies, such as BLUETOOTH or otherwireless personal area network technology (e.g., technology complyingwith the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 802.15standard), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.11 communications, cellular communication technology, and/or otherwireless communication technology, as described in more detail below.Additional or fewer components may be included on the PCBA 152.

The control circuitry 154 interfaces with the sensor 46 and the Halleffect sensor 176 of the gauge device 20. The Hall effect sensor 176 canmeasure the varying magnetic field. The gauge device 20 can include areal-time clock built into the PCBA 152 to obtain time values forperforming the distance calculation. By comparing the varying magneticfield strength to the real-time clock, the control circuitry 154 candetermine a position and speed of the rope 24/cable or wire 26 monitoredby the gauge device 20. Depending on an implementation, other types ofsensors that measure force, speed and/or distance can be used. In someexample embodiments, the signal conditioning circuitry 166 turns theanalog force signal into a digital signal before being received by thecontrol circuitry 154. While the signal conditioning circuitry 166 isillustrated as independent and distinct circuitry separate from thesensor 46 and Hall effect sensor 176, it will be appreciated in someembodiments, the sensor 46, Hall effect sensor 176, and/or other sensorsthat may be implemented on the gauge device 20 may include an onboardanalog-to-digital converter and/or other circuitry that may beconfigured to convert an analog signal into a digital output such thatthe sensor(s) may output a digital signal. Accordingly, it will beappreciated that in accordance with various embodiments, signalconditioning circuitry 166 may comprise circuitry interfaced with one ormore sensors that is separate and distinct from such sensors, circuitryimplemented on one or more sensors, or some combination thereof. Basedat least in part upon the geometry of the rollers 36, 38, 40, 42, 44,the processor 156 equates the inputted force signal to ¼th the tensionin the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26. This is dependent on thegeometry of the rope path travelling across the centermost threerollers. Alternative geometries may be utilized which transfer differentfractions (other than ¼″) of the tension in the pulling rope 24. Thecontrol circuitry 154 processes the digital signal received from theHall effect sensor 176 to determine and display a speed of the pulledpulling rope 24/cable or wire 26 and in some embodiments determine atotal distance pulled.

The PCBA 152 is housed in the enclosure 178 which protects thecomponents from the environment. An outer surface of the enclosure 178supports the display 180, e.g., liquid crystal display (LCD), or othertype of display. The enclosure 178 may further support a communicationport 182, e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) port, a Firewire port, aThunderbolt port, a Lightning connector port, a serial communicationsport, a parallel communications port, an Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)port, and/or other communications port that may be used to physicallyinterface gauge device 20 with one or more further communicationsdevices. The enclosure 178 may further support one or more controlbuttons, such as control buttons 184 a, 184 b. In some exampleembodiments, a first control button 184 a can provide ON/OFF powerfunctions to the display 180 and a separate control button 184 b canprovide backlight control. However, it will be appreciated that someembodiments may include additional or alternative buttons having variousfunctionalities, and in some embodiments, one or both of control buttons184 a, 184 b may be eliminated entirely. As described in more detailbelow, the display 180 displays (e.g., in real time) one or more of aforce, speed and distance of the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26monitored by the gauge device 20, as determined by the control circuitry154.

The communication port 182 can be accessed for easy file transfer to thegauge device 20 and data retrieval from the gauge device 20. In someembodiments, the control circuitry 154 receives in the field upgradedfirmware or software via the communication port 182, and/or outputs datafiles for saving on a memory stick, computer and/or communication device402 described below. A USB memory stick does not need to be in place forthe control circuitry 154 to store data about the pull. The controlcircuitry 154 can temporarily store the data in the memory 158 beforetransferring the data to the USB memory stick. The data includesinformation about the pull including one or more of a file name, speed,distance and force of the pull, a date of the pull, a time of the pull,user information, and possible other information, including but notlimited to a model number and serial number of the puller, etc. Otherdata can include pull information, e.g., information related to pullingthe cable, wire, and/or rope, including but not limited to a maximumstrength, peak force during the pull, total time of pull, measured forceover time (e.g., a data set including discrete force measurements over aperiod of time that can be used to plot or graph the measured force overtime during a pull), etc.

FIG. 15 is a screenshot of an example main menu displayed by the display180 of the gauge device 20. It will be appreciated that the example ofFIG. 15 is provided by way of example, and not by way of limitation andalternative display arrangements of information, selectable menuoptions, inputs, and the like are contemplated within the scope of thedisclosure. The display 180 of some example embodiments comprises atouchscreen display 186 enabling touch interaction with inputs displayedon the display 180. The touchscreen display 186 may, for example,comprise a capacitive touchscreen display. However, it will beappreciated that any suitable touchscreen technology may be used withinthe scope of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the main menu displaysinput buttons including a ‘new pull’ button 187, a ‘saved pull’ button188 and a ‘settings’ button 189. The user can touch the ‘new pull’button 187 to begin a new pull or touch the ‘saved pull’ button 188 toload data to review data on an existing pull. The ‘settings’ button 189can be pressed to access factory calibration, set a month/day/time ofthe gauge device 20, etc. The display 180 may further display thecurrent time 101, e.g., determined by the real-time clock andsynchronized via a wireless connection e.g., Wi-Fi or BLUETOOTH, or awired connection.

In the illustrated example, the display 180 may further display acommunication icon, e.g., BLUETOOTH icon 190, a battery icon 191 and anorientation icon 192 which provides operational information to the userat a glance. The BLUETOOTH icon 190 may indicate when a BLUETOOTHenabled device is connected with the gauge device 20. For example, insome embodiments, the BLUETOOTH icon 190 changes color, e.g., to blue,when a BLUETOOTH enabled device is connected with the gauge device 20.Otherwise, the BLUETOOTH icon 190 is red. It will be appreciated thatother colors can be used, and the icon 190 may be altered in othermanners to indicate whether a device is connected. It will be furtherappreciated that an alternative icon may be used in addition to or inlieu of BLUETOOTH icon 190 in embodiments in which gauge device 20 isconfigured to support an additional or alternative wireless and/or wiredcommunication technology to indicate whether the gauge device 20 iswirelessly and/or wired connected to another device or network. Examplesof some possible additional wireless and wired technologies are providedherein.

The orientation icon 192 allows the user to change an orientation of thedisplay 180 of the gauge device 20 with a touch, to shift from an uppull to a down pull, or vice versa. The battery icon 191 displays acurrent charge level of the battery 185 of the gauge device 20, e.g., asmonitored by the external battery monitoring circuit 168. The externalbattery monitoring circuit 168 sends charge information about thebattery 185 to the control circuitry 154 which can output the chargeinformation to the display 180 for display, e.g., in 25% or otherincrements, to represent the current charge level of the battery 185.While powered, the voltage regulators 164 generate a fixed outputvoltage from the battery 185 to the gauge device 20, independent of thecharge level of the batteries and load conditions of the gauge device20. When the charge level of the battery 185 is below a determinedthreshold for safe operation of the gauge device 20, the low voltageshutdown circuitry 170 can shut it down.

FIG. 16 is a screenshot of an example display of the display 180 duringsetup for a new pull operation. The touchscreen display 186 includesinput fields for a user to supply a pull name 193, foreman name 194 anda location 195 of the current pull. When the input field is touched onthe touchscreen display 186, the display 180 can display an alphanumerickeypad for the user to enter the field information to an application viathe touchscreen display 186. The display 180 can also allow forselection of different measurement systems 196, e.g., lbs/ft or Kg/M,and a maximum cable tension 197 using the touchscreen display 186, e.g.,via an application. As described above, startup is simplified since theuser need not enter the diameter of the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26to accurately determine pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26 tension. Thegauge device 20 can also track which ropes have been pulled under howmuch tension and at what speeds/distances. A ‘cancel pulling’ icon 198and a ‘start pulling’ button 199 are used to cancel or start the pull,respectively.

FIGS. 17A-D are screenshots of an example display of the display 180during a pulling operation. The display 180 displays a current forcevalue 210, distance value 212 and average speed value 214, e.g., asdetermined by the control circuitry 154 and sent to the display 180 forviewing. The gauge device 20 can display other pull information notlimited to duration of pull, etc. An ‘end pull’ button 216 allows theuser to stop recording the data for the pull at any time, for example,at the end of a pull. Additionally, or alternatively, the gauge device20 can be programmed to automatically stop recording the data for thepull, e.g., when the gauge device 20 detects no pulling for a determinedtime (e.g., a defined timeout period). When a pull ends, all the data isautomatically saved. To provide additional operating condition feedbackto the user, in FIG. 17B, a background color of the touchscreen 186 isdisplayed as a determined color, e.g., white, under normal operatingconditions. In FIG. 17C, the background color of the touchscreen isdisplayed as another determined color, e.g., yellow, to indicate that anoperating condition is greater than a determined threshold, e.g., about80 percent of maximum. Other percentages can be used based on animplementation, e.g., based at least in part on a speed of the changingtension on the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26. In FIG. 17D, thebackground color of the touchscreen is displayed as another determinedcolor, e.g., red, to indicate that an operating condition is greaterthan a determined threshold, e.g., 100 percent of maximum. In someembodiments, the control circuitry 154 determines the background colorto be displayed based at least in part on monitoring the pull andcomparing the received force signals to the determined thresholds. Thecontrol circuitry 154 can flash the background colors on and off to drawfurther attention to the user. As described in more detail below,wirelessly communication devices 402 may emit tones or vibrate toprovide additional or alternative alerts to the user.

FIG. 18 is a screenshot of an example pull summary data displayed on ascreen of the display 180 of the gauge device 20. In one example, thepull summary data can be used to validate and/or certify that there wereno damaging forces applied to the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26during the pull. The summary data can include a graph 200 illustratingthe force over the time of the pull. A ‘full screen’ button can betouched to expand the graph to cover the full screen area of the display180. The screen also displays some example pull information 204, e.g.,pull name, foreman name, date, start/end time, location, peak force andpull duration of the pull. In accordance with various embodiments,alternative, additional or fewer information can be displayed. Apulldown menu button 206 is pressed to pick the name of the pull to bedisplayed. A ‘send file to app’ button 208 and ‘save file to USB’ button209 are touched to save a summary of the pull file to a remote device orUSB memory stick, respectively. The ‘main menu’ button 213 is pressed toreturn the user to the main menu of the display 180.

FIG. 19 is a screenshot of an example file management screen of thedisplay 180 of the gauge device 20. The display 180 screen displays alist of saved files 300 containing information about previous pulls. Thesaved files 300 can be listed by file name, date and size. Thetouchscreen 186 provides inputs for file management including an ‘openfile’ button 302, a ‘delete file’ button 304 and a ‘save file to USB’button 306. The user can also return to the main menu by touching ‘mainmenu’ button 308.

FIG. 20 is a system diagram of an example pulling environment 400 forconnecting the gauge device 20 to a communication device 402 which islocated remotely from the gauge device 20. The communication device 402can include one or more of a mobile device, a smart phone, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a tablet, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, etc. The display 180 of the gauge device 20 may not always beeasily accessible by the user. Therefore, the user can access theircommunication device 402 to obtain information about the pull. Thecommunication device 402 includes one or more of an operating system410, a web browser 404 and an application 406 to communicatively couplewith the gauge device 20. The communication device 402 communicates withthe gauge device 20 via a protocol 408 (e.g., BLUETOOTH, 802.11, and/orother suitable wireless communications protocol) to receive and displayboth live and archived pull related data on the communication device402. The application 406 can also display when a determined threshold ofthe pull is approaching or being exceeded. Since alarms on the gaugedevice 20 may be out of sight or inaudible to the user due to loudconstruction sites, when a determined threshold is nearing or beingexceeded the application 406 application 406 may cause the communicationdevice 402 to produce a perceptible alert to alert a user of thecommunication device 402. For example, the application 406 may cause thecommunication device 402 to vibrate, emit audible warnings via aspeaker(s) of the communication device 402, and/or display a visualwarning (e.g., flashes or other visual alert indication) on a screen ofthe communication device 402. Thus, for example, if the communicationdevice 402 is in the user's pocket, the user can hear and/or feel thatthere is an alert and look at the gauge device 20. The communicationdevice 402 can include one or more types of computing devices, includingbut not limited to, a smart phone, tablet, a laptop, a personal computer(PC), etc., with communication capability and may which may operate onone of a variety of operating systems including but not limited toMicrosoft Windows (a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation),Apple iOS (a registered trademark of Cisco), Apple OSX, Google Android(a registered trademark of Google Inc.), or Linux (a registeredtrademark owned by Linus Torvalds). The application 406 can be saveddirectly to the communication device 402 and/or be accessed remotely,e.g., via the web browser 404.

Additional or alternative, to BLUETOOTH, wireless communication includesbut is not limited to near field communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, ZigBee,Z-wave, WirelessUSB, WirelessHD, Wireless HART, UWB, Wireless RegionalArea Network (WRAN), ISA100a, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID),Infrared (IR), ISM Band, Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) 1802.15.4, ANT+, 6LoWPAN, Ultra-Wideband, satellitenetworks, cellular networks, etc. Additionally, or alternatively, thecommunication device 402 can connect to the gauge device 20 via a wiredtechnology including but not limited to telephone networks, cablenetworks, fiber-optic communications, the Ethernet, etc. In one example,the communication device 402 connects with the gauge device 20 via thecommunication port 182.

FIG. 21 is a screenshot of an example homepage 500 of the application406 executing on the communication device 402. The pulling environment400 may make it preferable for the user to monitor pull information onthe communication device 402 over the display 180. Alternatively, theuser can monitor the data from the display 180 or both the communicationdevice 402 and the display 180, depending on the type of pullingenvironment 400. The user can access a pulling estimator via theapplication 406 by engaging the ‘pulling estimator’ button 502, or starta pull by engaging the ‘start pull’ button 504. In some embodiments, thepulling estimator is PullCalc available from Greenlee Textron Inc., orother estimator. The user can also access settings of the application406 by engaging the settings icon 506, for example to change font size,set warning options, pair BLUETOOTH, etc.

FIGS. 22A-C are screenshots of an example display screen 600 of theapplication 406 as displayed on the communication device 402 during apulling operation. The application 406 displays a current force value602, distance value 604 and average speed value 606, e.g., as sent fromthe gauge device 20 to the application 406 via the BLUETOOTH connection.The application 406 also displays the BLUETOOTH icon 190 and the batteryicon 191 to provide connection and level information about the battery185 to the user, respectively. When the user inputted tension limit isapproached or exceeded and the communication device 402 is connected tothe gauge device 20 via BLUETOOTH, the user is notified of the operatingcondition by the application 406. To provide feedback to the user, inFIG. 22A, a background color of the display screen 600 is displayed as adetermined color, e.g., white, under normal operating conditions. InFIG. 22B, the background color of the display screen 600 is displayed asanother determined color, e.g., yellow, to indicate that an operatingcondition is greater than a determined threshold, e.g., about 80 percentof maximum. In FIG. 22C, the background color the display screen 600 isdisplayed as another determined color, e.g., red, to indicate that anoperating condition is greater than a determined second threshold, e.g.,about 100 percent of maximum. The colors can flash on/off in thebackground to draw further attention to the user and provide warnings tothe user. The display 180 local to the gauge device 20 can also displaythe operating conditions as described above.

FIG. 23 is an example display screen 700 of the application 406 todisplay data files 702 transferred from the gauge device 20 to thecommunication device 402. By opening the data files 702 thecommunication device 402 can display the data from past pulls.

FIG. 24 is an example display screen 800 of the application 406displaying saved data. The data can include one or more of a summary ofthe pull including a graph illustrating the force versus time of thepull in increments of seconds, and other pull information 804 includingone or more of a maximum cable strength of the pull, a peak force, atime that it took to complete the pull, a total distance of the pull,etc. The application 406 can be used to send the data from thecommunication device 402 via email, and/or to post the data via socialmedia, etc.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart 900 of an example process for monitoringoperating conditions of a pull. The computing module 150 receivessignals from the sensor 46 and Hall effect sensor 176 representing pullrelated data, e.g., force and speed, and in some embodiments determinesdistance (902). The computing module 150 determines whether the tensionon the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26 as determined from the forceexceeds a first threshold (904). In some embodiments, the firstthreshold is about 80 percent of a determined maximum allowable forceapplied to the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26, allowing the user totake action before pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26 limits are exceeded.If the force has exceeded the first threshold the computing module 150sends a first level warning (906). The first level warning can includechanging the background color of the display 180 screen, and changingthe background color of the application 406 executing on thecommunication device 402. The application 406 also makes thecommunication device 402 vibrate. The computing module 150 determines ifthe force has exceeded a second threshold (908). In some embodiments,the second threshold is about 100 percent of the maximum allowable forceapplied to the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26. If the force hasexceeded the second threshold the computing module 150 sends a secondlevel warning (910). The second level warning can include changing thebackground color on the display 180 screen of the gauge device 20, andthe changing the background color of the application 406 executing onthe communication device 402. The application 406 also makes thecommunication device 402 vibrate.

FIGS. 26A-D are block diagrams of example communication connections inthe pulling environments 1000. In some embodiments, the pullingenvironment 1000 can include the gauge device 20, the communicationdevice 402, and a pulling assembly, e.g., the cable puller 22, the cablefeeder 32, the rope auto spooler machine 33, and/or other equipment usedin a pull, communicatively connected together (FIG. 26A). In someembodiments, the pulling environment 1000 may include just the gaugedevice 20, the cable puller 22 and the cable feeder 32 (FIG. 26B). Insome embodiments, the pulling environment 1000 may include the gaugedevice 20 and pulling assembly which includes the rope auto spoolermachine 33, the cable tray feeder 31 and the cable puller 22 (FIG. 26C).In some embodiments, the pulling environment may include the gaugedevice 20, the cable puller 22 and the cable tray feeder 31 (FIG. 26C).More or less components/devices can be included than shown in thepulling environments 1000 and may be included in any combination,including various combinations beyond those illustrated by way ofexample. In some embodiments, the communication device 402communicatively connects with the cable puller 22 and/or the spooler(e.g., FIGS. 26B and 26C). The communication device 402 may or may notbe included in any of the pulling environments 1000 (FIGS. 26A-D).

In some embodiments, the gauge device 20 sends alert messages to apulling assembly, e.g., one or more of the cable puller 22, cable feeder32, cable tray feeder 31 and/or a rope auto spooler machine 33. In someembodiments, the messages sent from the gauge device 20 includes, but isnot limited to, pull information about speed, distance travelled, and/orrope tension with respect to time as determined/monitored by the gaugedevice 20. In some embodiments, the messages include one or more ofalert message(s) and/or command(s) to stop a pull, start a pull,increase pull speed, decrease pull speed, etc. In some embodiments, thepulling assembly, e.g., cable puller 22, cable feeder 32, cable trayfeeder 31 and/or rope auto spooler machine 33, process the receivedinformation to determine whether or not to display an alert message,stop the pull, start the pull, increase pull speed, decrease pull speed,and/or otherwise adjust the pulling rate. In some embodiments, the adisplay 1126 of the cable puller 22, cable feeder 32, cable tray feeder31 and/or rope auto spooler machine 33 can be used to display alertmessages, and/or pull information, e.g., one or more of the informationdisplayed by the gauge device 20 and/or communication device 402, e.g.,described above. The display 1126 can display the alert messages and/orpull messages with one or more of audible messages, e.g., via tonesand/or words outputted by a speaker, and/or a visual message, e.g., viaone or more lights, textual messages displayed on a screen, etc.

In some embodiments, the gauge device 20 communicates the messageswirelessly to the cable puller 22, cable feeder 32, cable tray feeder 31and/or rope auto spooler machine 33 using wireless communication, suchas a personal area network communication protocol, e.g., BLUETOOTH, alocal area network communication protocol, e.g., WI-FI, cellular, and/orother wireless communication protocol. It will be appreciated thatdifferent communication protocols can be used, such as those describedelsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the messages are sent via wiredcommunications. In some embodiments, the gauge device 20 receiveinformation from the cable puller 22, cable feeder 32, cable tray feeder31 and/or rope auto spooler machine 33 via the communication protocol,e.g., information that the message was received and/or informationsensed/determined by the cable puller 22 and/or rope auto spoolermachine 33. Messages can be sent/received between the gauge device 20and the cable puller 22, cable feeder 32, cable tray feeder 31 and/orrope auto spooler machine 33 in response to the occurrence of determinedevents, e.g., a sensed tension above a threshold, and/or continuously orperiodically, e.g., at a determined frequency, e.g., 10 Hz. In someembodiments, if both the cable puller 22 and rope auto spooler machine33 are included in the pulling environment, one or the other can bedesignated as a master device, e.g., the rope auto spooler machine 33can be designated the master.

In some embodiments, the cable puller 22 and/or the rope auto spoolermachine 33 process the speed, distance travelled, and/or rope tensioninformation received from the gauge device 20 to determine if any actionneeds to be taken to control the pull. In some embodiments, the cablepuller 22 and/or rope auto spooler machine 33 can send messages and/orinstructions to the cable feeder 32 and/or cable tray feeder 31 tocontrol the pull based at least in part on the received and/ordetermined actions. In some embodiments, the cable puller 22 and/or ropeauto spooler machine 33 communicate wirelessly via radio frequency (RF)with the cable feeder 32 and/or cable tray feeder 31. Differentcommunication protocols can be used. In some embodiments, the messagesare sent via wired communications, e.g., from the rope auto spoolermachine 33 to the cable puller 22. Wireless communication protocols thatcan be used include, but are not limited to, BLUETOOTH, near fieldcommunication (NFC), Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Z-wave, WirelessUSB, WirelessHD,Wireless HART, UWB, Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN), ISA100a,Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared (IR), ISM Band,Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1802.15.4,ANT+, 6LoWPAN, Ultra-Wideband, satellite networks, cellular networks,etc. Wired technology including but not limited to telephone networks,cable networks, fiber-optic communications, the Ethernet, etc.,including, but not limited to, analog signals sent by the rope autospooler machine 33 to the cable puller 22 to modify operation of amotor, e.g., increase/decrease speed, turn on/off, etc., e.g., byswitching relays, flipping switches, etc.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart 1010 of an example control logic of the cablepuller 22 or rope auto spooler machine 33. In some embodiments, thecable puller 22 and/or rope auto spooler machine 33 receives messageswith pull information and/or commands from the gauge device 20 (1012).In some embodiments, the messages can include speed and tensioninformation related to the rope 24/cable or wire 26 in the operatingenvironment, e.g., as sensed and/or determined by the gauge device 20.In some embodiments, the cable puller 22 and/or rope auto spoolermachine 33 process the information received in the messages, along withtension and speed information sensed by the cable puller 22 and/or ropeauto spooler machine 33. In some embodiments, the cable puller 22 and/orthe rope auto spooler machine 33 the processed information to determinetailing force tension and/or provide enough tailing force tension toprevent the rope 24/cable or wire 26 from slipping on the capstan 27. Insome embodiments, the gauge device 20 measured speed and tension on therope 24/cable or wire 26 is positioned between the cable puller 22 andthe cable tray feeder 31 or cable feeder 32, and the cable puller 22 orthe rope auto spooler machine 33 measured speed and tension on the rope24/cable or wire 26 is positioned between the rope auto spooler machine33 and the cable puller 22.

In some embodiments, if the cable puller 22 and/or rope auto spoolermachine 33 determine from the received and/or directly measured speedand tension information that there is an increase in load on the rope24/cable or wire 26 and a drop-in tension. Based at least in part on thedetermination, the cable puller 22 and/or rope auto spooler machine 33can decide that the rope 24/cable or wire 26 is slipping on the capstan27. Additionally, or alternatively, in some embodiments, the cablepuller 22 and/or rope auto spooler machine 33 act on commands in themessages received from the gauge device 20, e.g., to cause an alertmessage to be displayed, stop or adjust pulling of the rope 24/cable orwire 26, etc. In some embodiments, in response to determining that therope 24/cable or wire 26 is slipping, the rope auto spooler machine 33or cable puller 22 send commands to the cable tray feeder 31 or cablefeeder 32 to stop or adjust the pull (1016). In some embodiments, cabletray feeder 31 or cable feeder 32 receive the commands and performactions based at least in part on the commands, e.g., causing an alertmessage to display, by stopping the pull, starting the pull, increasingspeed, and/or decreasing speed, etc., as determined from the commands(1020). The rope auto spooler machine 33 and/or the cable puller 22 cansend the commands to try to maintain enough tailing force on the rope24/cable or wire 26 to avoid the rope 24/cable or wire 26 from slippingon the capstan 27. In some embodiments, the gauge device 20 continuallymonitors speed and tension, etc., and sends speed and tension relatedmessages at a determined rate to the cable puller 22 and/or rope autospooler machine 33 for the cable puller 22 and/or rope auto spoolermachine 33 to process and adjust pulling as needed, e.g., to prevent anoverload in the pulling environment 1000. In some embodiments, theinformation can also be sent to the communication device 402 for remotemonitoring and/or controlling, e.g., as discussed above.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart 1050 of an example control logic of the gaugedevice 20. In some embodiments, the gauge device 20 can process speedand tension information to determine actions to take in the pullingenvironment 1000. The speed and tension information can includeinformation sensed/determined by the gauge device 20 and/or tensioninformation sensed/determined by the cable puller 22 and/or rope autospooler machine 33 (1052). In some embodiments, the gauge device 20sends control commands to the cable puller 22, cable feeder 32, cabletray feeder 31 and/or rope auto spooler machine 33 to control pull ofthe rope 24/cable or wire 26 based at least in part on the determinedcontrol commands (1054). The commands can include one or more of causean alert message to display, stop pulling, start pulling, increase pullspeed, decrease pull speed, etc. In some embodiments, the gauge device20 displays an alert message and/or sends alert messages to thecommunication device 402 (1056), e.g., as described above. In someembodiments, the gauge device 20 can receive feedback information fromthe cable puller 22, cable feeder 32, cable tray feeder 31 and/or ropeauto spooler machine 33, or other devices in the pulling environment1000, e.g., to track tension and/or speed information related to therope 24/cable or wire 26 near those devices (1058).

FIG. 29 is a block diagram of an example computing module 1100 of thecable puller 22 and/or rope auto spooler machine 33. The computingmodule 1100 can include a processor 1106 and a memory 1108, e.g., anon-transitory computer medium including any of the memory typesdescribed herein. In some embodiments, the processor 1106 can executeinstructions stored in the memory 1108 to determine whether an action isneeded, e.g., stop the pull, start the pull, increase pull speed,decrease pull speed, etc. In some embodiments, the cable puller 22,cable tray feeder 31, cable feeder 32 and/or rope auto spooler machine33 receives tension and speed information from the gauge device 20 viathe communication interface(s) (1102), e.g., BLUETOOTH, other radiofrequency interfaces, other wireless interfaces, wired interfaces, etc.In some embodiments, the cable puller 22 and/or rope auto spoolermachine 33 also measure local tension and/or force, speed, etc. viasensor(s) 1104, e.g., a load cell, proximity sensor, etc. In someembodiments, the processor 1106 determines what actions, if any, toperform/command to be performed based at least in part on the receivedtension and speed information from the gauge device 20 and/or thelocally sensed tension of the pull. The actions can help avoid too higha tension caused by force on the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26 duringpulling, to avoid damage the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26.Additionally, too much tension on the pulling rope 24/cable or wire 26can cause other adverse effects including the pulling rope 24/cable orwire 26 snapping or stretching during the pull.

In some embodiments, the computing module 1100 can include additional oralternative components, including but not limited to, an A/D converter1112, e.g., for converting signals from the sensor(s) 1104 and a clock1114, e.g., for setting a tempo of the processor 1106. In someembodiments, the computing module 1100 includes a communication port1116, e.g., to be accessed for downloading data from the cable puller 22and/or rope auto spooler machine 33 and uploading instructions, e.g.,via firmware updates. The communication port 1116 can include one ormore of a USB port, a Firewire port, a Thunderbolt port, a Lightningconnector port, a serial communications port, a parallel communicationsport, an Ethernet (RJ-45 connector) port, and/or other type ofcommunication port. In some embodiments, the computing module 1100includes relays/switches 1118, pulse width modulation (PWM) H-bridge1121 and/or controller area network (CAN) open for controlling/sendingoperating signals to the motors of the cable puller 22 and/or rope autospooler machine 33. In some embodiments, the computing module 1100includes a bus 1122 for connecting the sensors(s) 1104, memory 1108,processor 1106, etc. In some embodiments, the processor 1106 can beembodied as a microprocessor, a coprocessor, a controller or variousother computing or processing devices including integrated circuits suchas, for example, an ASIC, an FPGA, some combination thereof, or thelike, etc.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of an example computing module 1150 of thecable feeder 32 and/or cable tray feeder 31. The computing module 1150can include a processor 1152 and a memory 1154, e.g., a non-transitorycomputer medium including any of the memory types described herein. Insome embodiments, the processor 1150 receives commands from the cablepuller 22 and/or the rope auto spooler machine 33 to control pulling,e.g., to cause an alert message to display, stop the pull, start thepull, increase pull speed, decrease pull speed, etc. In someembodiments, the computing module 1150 includes a communicationinterface(s) 1156 for receiving the commands, e.g., BLUETOOTH, otherradio frequency interfaces, other wireless interfaces, wired interfaces,etc. In some embodiments, the processor 1152 executes instructionsstored in the memory 1154 to determine which command it received andcontrols the motor interface 1158 based at least in part on the command.The motor interface 1158 can include one or more of relays, switches,PWM H-bridges, CAN open interfaces, etc. In some embodiments, theprocessor 1152 can be embodied as a microprocessor, a coprocessor, acontroller or various other computing or processing devices includingintegrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC, an FPGA, somecombination thereof, or the like, etc.

As described herein, the gauge device 20, cable puller 22, rope autospooler machine 33, cable tray feeder 31, cable feeder 32, and/orcommunication device 402 may be implemented in many different ways inmany different combinations of hardware, software, firmware, or anycombination thereof. The processors become specially configured forperforming the operations by the instructions. The processor may meanany type of circuitry configurable to perform the functionalitydescribed herein, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, acontroller, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, and/orother processor. The processor may also be implemented with discretelogic or components, or a combination of other types of analog ordigital circuitry, combined on a single integrated circuit ordistributed among multiple integrated circuits. All or part of the logicdescribed above may be implemented as instructions for execution by theprocessor, controller, or other processing device and may be stored in atangible or non-transitory machine-readable or computer-readable mediumsuch as flash memory, random access memory (RAM) or read only memory(ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) or othermachine-readable medium such as a compact disc read only memory (CDROM),or magnetic or optical disk. A product, such as a computer programproduct, may include a storage medium and computer readable instructionsstored on the medium, which when executed in an endpoint, computersystem, or other device, cause the device to perform operationsaccording to any of the description above. The memory can be implementedwith one or more hard drives, and/or one or more drives that handleremovable media, such as diskettes, compact disks (CDs), digital videodisks (DVDs), flash memory keys, and other removable media.

The gauge device 20, cable puller 22, rope auto spooler machine 33,cable tray feeder 31, cable feeder 32, and/or communication device 402can also include a display device, an audio output and a controller,such as a keyboard, mouse, trackball, game controller, microphone,voice-recognition device, or any other device that inputs information.The processing capability of the system may be distributed amongmultiple system components, such as among multiple processors andmemories, optionally including multiple distributed processing systems.Parameters, databases, and other data structures may be separatelystored and managed, may be incorporated into a single memory ordatabase, may be logically and physically organized in many differentways, and may implemented in many ways, including data structures suchas linked lists, hash tables, or implicit storage mechanisms. Programsmay be parts (e.g., subroutines) of a single program, separate programs,distributed across several memories and processors, or implemented inmany different ways, such as in a library, such as a shared library(e.g., a dynamic link library (DLL)). The DLL, for example, may storecode that performs any of the system processing described above. Thesystems and methods can be implemented over a cloud.

While particular embodiments are illustrated in and described withrespect to the drawings, it is envisioned that those skilled in the artmay devise various modifications without departing from the spirit andscope of the appended claims. It will therefore be appreciated that thescope of the disclosure and the appended claims is not limited to thespecific embodiments illustrated in and discussed with respect to thedrawings and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to beincluded within the scope of the disclosure and appended drawings.Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain examplecombinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated thatdifferent combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided byalternative embodiments without departing from the scope of thedisclosure and the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gauge device configured to measure tension on apulling rope during a cable pull comprising: a frame having a lower edgeand an upper edge and side edges extending between the lower and upperedges; a housing carried by the frame, the housing being configured totranslate linearly relative to the frame; a roller rotatably carried bythe housing; a sensor carried by the frame beneath the housing, whereinwhen the housing moves relative to the frame, the housing is configuredto engage with the sensor to activate the sensor; at least oneadditional roller rotatably attached to the frame; a computing modulemounted in an enclosure which extends a predetermined distance outwardlyfrom the frame, the sensor being in communication with the computingmodule; a first handle attached to the frame adjacent to, but spacedfrom the lower edge, the first handle extending a predetermined distanceoutwardly from the frame; a second handle attached to the frame adjacentto, but spaced from the upper edge, the second handle extending apredetermined distance outwardly from the frame; and the enclosurepositioned between the handles, wherein the distance each handle extendsoutwardly from the frame is greater than the distance the enclosureextends outwardly from the frame.
 2. The gauge device of claim 1,wherein the sensor is a compression load cell.
 3. The gauge device ofclaim 1, wherein the sensor includes a depressible button which, whendepressed by contact with the housing, activates the sensor.
 4. Thegauge device of claim 1, further comprising a display on an exteriorsurface of the frame.
 5. The gauge device of claim 1, wherein aplurality of additional rollers are rotatably carried by the frame, andat least one of the additional rollers is mounted by a mount from whichthe at least one of the additional rollers is configured to be detachedtherefrom and reattached thereto.
 6. The gauge device of claim 5,wherein four additional rollers are rotatably carried on the frame. 7.The gauge device of claim 1, wherein the roller mounted in the housingdefines a first roller, and four additional rollers are rotatablycarried on the frame and define second, third, fourth and fifth rollers,wherein the first roller is mounted at a center of the frame, the secondand third rollers are mounted above the first roller, and the fourth andfifth rollers are mounted adjacent to the first roller and below thesecond and third rollers.
 8. The gauge device of claim 1, wherein thesecond and third rollers are each mounted by a mount from which therespective roller is configured to be detached therefrom and reattachedthereto.
 9. The gauge device of claim 1, wherein the frame is formed ofone or more of aluminum, steel, plastic, rubber and carbon composite.10. The gauge device of claim 1, wherein the frame is formed of a firstframe part and a second frame part, each frame part having a pluralityof cutouts therein.
 11. The gauge device of claim 1, the frame is formedof a first frame part and a second frame part, each frame part is formedof an outer continuous portion and a plurality of arms that interconnectwith each other and define a plurality of cutouts.
 12. The gauge deviceof claim 11, wherein each frame part is generally symmetrical about acenterline the frame part.
 13. A gauge device configured to measuretension on a pulling rope during a cable pull comprising: a frameincluding a first frame part and a second frame part, each frame parthaving an inner surface, an outer surface, a lower edge, an upper edge,a first side edge extending between the lower and upper edges, and asecond side edge extending between the lower and upper edges, andwherein in each frame part the lower edge angles inwardly from the outersurface to the inner surface; a housing carried by the frame, thehousing being configured to translate linearly relative to the frame; aroller rotatably carried by the housing; a sensor carried by the framebeneath the housing, wherein when the housing moves relative to theframe, the housing is configured to engage with the sensor to activatethe sensor; and at least one additional roller rotatably attached to theframe.
 14. The gauge device of claim 13, wherein the frame is furthercomprised of a mounting plate extending between the frame parts, themounting plate is mounted proximate to a lower edge of each frame part,the mounting plate comprising lower and upper surfaces, end surfacesextending between the lower and upper surfaces, and side surfacesextending between the lower and upper surfaces, the side surfaces matedwith inner surfaces of the frame parts, the lower surface having anelongated slot extending along a length of the mounting plate definedbetween the end surfaces, the slot being comprised of a first angledsurface extending from the lower surface, a second angled surfaceextending from the lower surface, a third vertical surface extends froma top end of the first angled surface, a fourth vertical surfaceextending from a top end of the second angled surface, and a fifthhorizontal surface extending from upper ends of the third and fourthsurfaces.
 15. The gauge device of claim 13, wherein in each frame part,the lower edge is shorter in length than the upper edge.
 16. A gaugedevice configured to measure tension on a pulling rope during a cablepull comprising: a frame including first and second frame parts and amounting plate mounted proximate to a lower edge of each frame part, themounting plate comprising lower and upper surfaces, end surfacesextending between the lower and upper surfaces, and side surfacesextending between the lower and upper surfaces, the side surfaces matedwith inner surfaces of the frame parts, the lower surface having anelongated slot extending along a length of the mounting plate definedbetween the end surfaces, the slot being comprised of a first angledsurface extending from the lower surface, a second angled surfaceextending from the lower surface, a third vertical surface extends froma top end of the first angled surface, a fourth vertical surfaceextending from a top end of the second angled surface, and a fifthhorizontal surface extending from upper ends of the third and fourthsurfaces; a housing carried by the frame, the housing being configuredto translate linearly relative to the frame; a roller rotatably carriedby the housing; a sensor carried by the frame beneath the housing,wherein when the housing moves relative to the frame, the housing isconfigured to engage with the sensor to activate the sensor; and atleast one additional roller rotatably attached to the frame.
 17. Thegauge device of claim 1, further comprising a second sensor on anexterior of the frame, the second sensor configured to calculate a speedof the pulling rope, and one or more magnetic targets on the housing.18. The gauge device of claim 17, wherein the second sensor is a Halleffect sensor.
 19. A gauge device configured to measure tension on apulling rope during a cable pull comprising: a frame; a housing carriedby the frame, the housing being configured to translate linearlyrelative to the frame; a roller rotatably carried by the housing; asensor carried by the frame beneath the housing, wherein when thehousing moves relative to the frame, the housing is configured to engagewith the sensor to activate the sensor; at least one additional rollerrotatably attached to the frame; and a locking bar pivotally attached tothe frame, and a locking pin attached to the locking bar, wherein thelocking bar is configured to pivot from a first position wherein an endof the locking bar overlaps the frame and the locking pin is configuredto be inserted into the frame, and a second position wherein the end ofthe locking bar extends outwardly from the frame and the locking pin isconfigured to be inserted into the frame.
 20. The gauge device of claim1, wherein the housing is carried by the frame by a rail which seatswithin a slot, the rail being configured to slide along the slot. 21.The gauge device of claim 1, further comprising a display on theenclosure in operative communication with the computing module, whereinthe display is visible between the handles.
 22. The gauge device ofclaim 13, wherein the frame is formed of one or more of aluminum, steel,plastic, rubber and carbon composite.
 23. The gauge device of claim 22,wherein the handles are formed of aluminum.
 24. The gauge device ofclaim 13, wherein the first frame part has a plurality of cutoutstherein, and the second frame part has a plurality of cutouts therein.